China’s exports soar 21.8% at the beginning of 2026 alone and teach the US war economy a lesson

The Chinese economy started the year with a strong boost in foreign trade. Data released by customs authorities indicate that China’s exports grew 21.8% in the first two months of the yearsurpassing analyst forecasts and signaling a vigorous recovery in global demand for the country’s industrial and technological products.

The result marks a significant acceleration in relation to the performance observed at the end of the previous year, when growth had been lower. The advance was driven mainly by shipments of electronics, semiconductors, automobiles and industrial equipmentsectors that have been registering high international demand, especially with the growth of investments linked to artificial intelligence and technology.

The numbers also show that Chinese foreign trade continues to be one of the pillars of the country’s economy. In the first two months of the year, the total value of exports reached around US$657 billionreinforcing the role of Chinese industry in global production chains.

Another relevant fact was the growth in imports, which increased approximately 19.8% in the same period. The movement indicates that, in addition to the expansion of foreign sales, China also increased the purchase of products and commodities from abroad, which contributed to the formation of a large trade surplus.

Among the main destinations for Chinese exports, there was a strong increase in sales to European Union and Southeast Asian countrieswhile shipments to the United States registered a drop of around 11%a reflection of commercial tensions between the two powers and tariffs applied to Chinese products.

The expansion of exports was also driven by products linked to the country’s new industrial chains, such as electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cellssectors that have been gaining share in global trade and consolidating the Chinese strategy of technological leadership in clean energy and electrification.

Despite the positive performance, analysts warn that the international scenario still presents uncertainties. Factors such as geopolitical tensions, possible changes in trade tariffs and fluctuations in the energy market could affect the pace of global trade throughout the year.

Even with these risks, the strong growth in exports reinforces the importance of the external sector for the Chinese economy, especially at a time when the country seeks to balance internal economic recovery with maintaining its competitiveness in the international market.

With information from SCMP